- Joined
- Jun 4, 2002
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- 3,930
It's called a Capouchadou, and it was the everyday work knife of farmers, shepherds, and other humble folk in south central France during the latter part of the 18th century, early part of the 19th century. As humble as their owners, these knives had simple wooden handles, turned no doubt on a spring pole lathe, with a bolster that consisted of a metal band that kept the handle from splitting. The blades on all examples I've seen, are fairly straight and fairly pointy, and were used for everything from slicing bread, to slaughtering sheep, to self defense.
I figured I'd mention this wee "peasant's dagger", because, like a puukko, it's a very uncomplicated style for a beginning knifemaker to try his/her hand at. You could even make a very quick, and fairly authentic looking one by purchasing a good quality wooden file handle from just about any hardware store. Take it home, deepen/widen the tang hole, and sand/refinish as you like.
Anyhow, here's a good picture of the knives I'm talking about from a museum in France;
And here's my "homespun" version with a file blade, ash handle, and ferrule sawn from an old piece of steel pipe. The blade is 5 3/8" long, single edged and very pointy, the 4" handle has rings cut in with a chainsaw file for better "wet traction". I've done a lot of field testing on this knife, and I really like it, it's light and slender/compact, but surprisingly rugged and capable. Want to know my idea of the perfect boot knife? You're looking at it. Make yourself one and you'll see what I mean.
:thumbup:
Sarge
I figured I'd mention this wee "peasant's dagger", because, like a puukko, it's a very uncomplicated style for a beginning knifemaker to try his/her hand at. You could even make a very quick, and fairly authentic looking one by purchasing a good quality wooden file handle from just about any hardware store. Take it home, deepen/widen the tang hole, and sand/refinish as you like.
Anyhow, here's a good picture of the knives I'm talking about from a museum in France;
And here's my "homespun" version with a file blade, ash handle, and ferrule sawn from an old piece of steel pipe. The blade is 5 3/8" long, single edged and very pointy, the 4" handle has rings cut in with a chainsaw file for better "wet traction". I've done a lot of field testing on this knife, and I really like it, it's light and slender/compact, but surprisingly rugged and capable. Want to know my idea of the perfect boot knife? You're looking at it. Make yourself one and you'll see what I mean.
:thumbup: Sarge
